Call for Experts: Peace, Justice & Security

Join PADF’s Roster of Subject Matter Experts for the Western Hemisphere

The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) is building a standing roster of subject matter experts to support its Peace, Justice & Security (PJS) programming across the Western Hemisphere. PADF works alongside national counterparts throughout the Caribbean, Central America, and South America to strengthen civilian security, advance the rule of law, and build accountable, effective, and trusted justice and law enforcement institutions.

We are seeking experienced law enforcement, justice sector, and security professionals to provide technical advice and assistance that strengthens host nation reforms. Depending on program needs, experts on this roster may be engaged as short-term consultants or as embedded advisors placed directly within host-nation institutions.

This is a rolling call. Expressions of interest are accepted on an ongoing basis and reviewed as opportunities arise across PADF’s active and pipeline programs.

Who We Are Looking For

PADF seeks experts who:

• Bring demonstrated technical expertise and hands-on proficiency in their area of specialization, with a proven ability to advise, mentor, and support institutional development at multiple levels.
• Understand the value of context-driven, partner-centered approaches grounded in local realities.
• Are committed to promoting effective, accountable, and rights-respecting security and justice institutions.
• Can work credibly alongside national counterparts, peers, and partners to design responsive and enduring solutions.
• Bring regional knowledge of the Caribbean, Central America, or South America, with working proficiency in Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, or relevant Creole languages considered a strong asset.

Areas of Expertise

PADF welcomes experts across the following thematic areas. This list is illustrative rather than exhaustive, and adjacent specializations are encouraged to apply.

Border, Maritime & Supply Chain Security

• Border security operations and cross-border threat interdiction
• Disruption of illicit cross-border networks (weapons, narcotics, and human smuggling)
• Maritime and port security, governance, and modernization
• Supply chain, cargo, and customs security

Criminal Investigations & Forensics

• Crime scene investigation and management
• Evidence handling, chain of custody, and preservation
• Latent fingerprint examination
• Forensic laboratory establishment and management
• Digital forensics and digital evidence processing
• Law enforcement interviewing and investigative interrogation

Cybercrime & Technology

• Cybercrime investigations
• Cybersecurity for critical infrastructure (IT/OT/ICS)
• Information and communications technology (ICT) and digital transformation
• Data analytics and case management systems for justice institutions

Crime Prevention & Community Security

• Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED)
• Community-oriented and intelligence-led policing
• Gang prevention, intervention, and investigations
• At-risk youth programming and violence interruption
• Counter-trafficking in persons (TIP)
• Victim services and psychosocial support

Financial Crimes, Illicit Finance & Counterterrorism

• Financial crimes investigations, including fraud and money laundering
• AML/CFT systems strengthening and FATF standards implementation
• Counterterrorism financing
• Egmont Group, Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs), and financial intelligence sharing
• Sanctions, terrorist designation, and legal framework development (FTO/SDGT alignment)
• Disruption of illicit economies, including illicit mining and environmental crime
• Transnational criminal organization disruption, including networks with a terrorism nexus

Law Enforcement Professionalization & Institutional Reform

• Police professionalization, standards, and accreditation
• Command, leadership, and supervisory development
• Strategic planning, organizational policy, and institutional reform
• Competency-based training, curriculum design, and assessment
• Train-the-trainer delivery and internal capacity sustainment

Prosecution & Justice Sector Strengthening

• Prosecutorial capacity development
• Legislative and regulatory drafting
• Case management and judicial process reform
• Regional and multi-jurisdictional legal cooperation

Cross-Cutting Expertise

• Intelligence analysis and analytical tradecraft
• Anti-corruption and institutional integrity
• Monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL)
• Vetting compliance

Engagement & Locations

Engagements are based in PADF program countries across the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Most assignments require significant in-country travel or, in the case of embedded advisory roles, residency within or alongside a host institution for the duration of the assignment. Engagement type, level of effort, and duration vary by program.

How to Express Interest

Qualified professionals are invited to submit the following for consideration:

• A current CV or resume detailing relevant technical and regional experience;
• A brief statement identifying your areas of expertise and the countries or regions where you have worked;
• Your availability and preferred engagement type (short-term consultant or embedded advisor); and
• Professional references available upon request.

Submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis, and qualified experts will be contacted as relevant opportunities arise.

The Pan American Development Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. PADF does not discriminate based on ability, age, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record.